Late Night Love: Heart's Desire
Author: Stephie P. a.k.a thesilentsenshi/kirameki
Contact: thesilentsenshihotmail.com; http:thesilentsenshi.livejournal.com
Pairings: Legolas/Erestor
Rating: R/NC-17
Summary: Erestor is haunted by his night with Legolas. The prince wants to continue their affair. When insomnia hits once again, will Erestor be able to fight his desires. Does he even want to? Sequel to Late Night Library Tryst.
Disclaimer: The lovely elves don't belong to me, though I wish they did.
Warnings: None really. Unless you consider slash bad...
Notes: Part seven. Alright. Here we are. One of them finally confesses. XD Won't tell which, read to find out.
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Part VII. Confessions & Lost Chances

A few hours later Erestor awoke awoke with a start. Looking around the now darkened room he wondered what had awoken him. Peering out the open window to the star filled sky, his mind wandered. It was obviously well past midnight. For some reason he felt antsy.

Unable to get back to sleep, he decided to take a walk in the gardens. He sat down on a stone bench and stared up at the stars. Earendil shone like a beacon above. Erestor leaned back and emptied his mind of all thoughts, which was aided by the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard singing.

When the song was over he opened his eyes and decided to seek out the owner of that amazing voice and thank them.

For his mind was now clear. He still wasn't sure what he would do when he next met the prince, but he was no longer filled with turmoil and conflicting emotions. His heart was no longer uncertain.

He stood and followed the voice, which was once again singing. The song was one of love and longing. His own heart sang the same tune and he could relate.

After walking for several moments he came across a moonlit clearing. In the center stood a large ancient oak who had stood sentinel in that very spot for centuries uncounted.

Then he saw, in the upper most branches sat a figure, glowing with an inner light.

Erestor moved forward about to announce his presence when he suddenly froze. The moonlit illuminated visage was all too familiar. Legolas, prince of Mirkwood.

Erestor stood there in a trance watching the prince, listening to his sultry voice fill the clearing with beautiful notes. Once the song had ended he remained frozen in the shadows, uncertain what to do. 'Should I run again, or face my fears?' he wondered.

With every drop of resolve he could muster he stepped into the light of the clearing.

The voice drifted off into the night until silence reigned. A pair of dazzling blue eyes stared at him through the darkness.

"Erestor..." the silken voice noted.

"May I come up?" Erestor asked nervously.

Legolas stared at him disbelieving for several moments before nodding his acceptance. Erestor shed his robes of office revealing light leggings and a tunic. He quickly climbed the tree, taking up residence on a branch beside the prince.

"What are you doing here?" the prince asked.

Erestor hesitated for only a moment. "I came out here to think when I heard your voice." he paused. "I sought to compliment the singer."

Legolas smiled at him sadly. "So you didn't recognize my voice, I take it?"

Erestor flushed at the reminder of his continual avoidance of the prince. "Aye." Another long pause. "I'm sorry."

Legolas smiled at him kindly. "What for? Avoiding me? Don't be. I'm as much to blame as you are."

Erestor shook his head. "My actions were unforgivable. I should have heard you out."

Legolas chuckled lightly, sending a thrill down Erestor's spine.

"Erestor, ever the diplomat, eh. Honestly, you needn't worry about it. It's no big deal." Yet, after a brief moment, Legolas couldn't help but ask, "Why wouldn't you hear me out? Why did you avoid me?"

"I suppose... I was afraid."

"Afraid? Of what?"

"Of you. And of me."

"Will you listen now, then?" Legolas inquired calmly.

Erestor nodded. "I will."

Legolas eyed him in silence for a long while, carefully wording what he wanted to say.

"Erestor... I've cared for you for a very very long time. And after that night in the library I realized something." The prince then lapsed into silence once again.

"Which is...?" Erestor urged nervously.

"That I care for you more than I've ever cared for anyone before. I care so much that, perhaps, I even love you."

Once again silence reigned in the clearing. Neither elf wanting to be the first to break it, neither one daring to so much as breathe.

To say that Erestor was shocked would be an understatement. Not even in his wildest dreams would he think the prince loved him back. Well, maybe in his wildest, but certainly never in reality.

When Erestor failed to react, Legolas sighed dejectedly. He took something from around his neck and held it out for Erestor to see. "Do you remember this?"

Erestor stared at the pendant for several moments in confusion until he was hit with sudden realization. His eyes widened. It was a smooth black stone pendant with a rather unique shape and it glittered lightly in the moonlight. What shocked him wasn't the fact that it was a twin to the blue one he himself wore, but that he recognized it.

"That can't be..." he croaked.

Legolas just smiled at him. "It can. It is."

"Legolas..."

"No. Please don't say anything right now. Let me finish. I will leave you alone from now on, I promise. You can give me a reply within two days. After that I will give up on you. I will try to forget and hope that our friendship will not be tainted by my confession and what all that's happened this past week."

"Two days...?" Erestor asked quietly, still trying to take everything in.

"I leave for Mirkwood the morning of the third day. My father's counsellors grow restless and wish to return home. I will be going with them."

Erestor's face was frozen. He didn't dare move for fear he would awaken from a dream.

The prince watched him, his eyes shielded before sighing again.

"Good night Erestor." And with that the prince leapt from the tree limb to the ground below, leaving the still silent Erestor behind.

In silence Legolas moved quickly from the clearing and melted into the shadows until there was no sign left that he had been there at all.

Erestor remained poised on his branch. His heart told him to move, to run after him, to do something, anything. But his body would not listen. And so, he sat there until the first rays of the sun peeked above the horizon, bathing Imladris in light.

With the dawn came realization. He'd missed his chance. And he had only two days to find another.

tbc...

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There you have it. Erestor screwed himself over. --; Will he get in touch with the prince before he leaves? You'll find out soon enough. XD I foresee only a few more chapters before the end. After that I'm thinking of doing a few sequels. If you guys want to see it, just say so. It's already forming in my brain as we speak. XD
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Review Responces:

Fuji: Heatwave? Meep! I feel for you. It's been pretty hot here as well, though not intolerable. Normal for Californians? Where you from?

kawaiishinichan: Yeah, though it's not so much hard to get because he's just frightened. It's not like he's doing it to make Legolas want him more... --; Though, I'm sure it might do just that anyways... XD It takes awhile yet. Erestor is really stubborn. =)

mysticheero: Ah, so you read fanfiction during class too? eh heh. ;) Firm push, slight nudge, does it matter so long as it gets the job done? I think Elrond wouldn't want to really interfere in their personal lives, but he wants them to be happy so is trying to help in the only way he can. Even the twins help out a bit. It's funny, I was never a huge fan of the pairing until I started to write it and the characters grew on me. I wanted to try something more challenging, and seeing how rare that pairing was tried a pwp that has grown into a monstrous series. You just listed all my favorite pairings as well! Especially Legolas/Elrohir. Though I'm game for Legolas/twins threesomes when they're written really well. Only threesome I really read. One of my fave authors (Minuial Nuwing) writes a wonderful fic about it. You'll be happy to know Haldir and his brothers will make an appearance in the sequel, and possibly some Legolas/Haldir action. (Don't wanna give it away yet but there's a summary at the end of the final chapter.) =)

Minuial: Yes, what would Erestor have done without Elrond's gentle encouragement. XD As for more Library, maybe in the sequel I can revisit that. XD There will be a bit of smut before the end though, that I can promise. XD

Erobey: Yep, there will be a sequel if enough people come forth and demand it. XD And as I said in the e-mails, I adore your story as well.